Illuminate Every Learner
2022 - 2023 Annual Report
Our Mission Teach For America finds, develops, and supports a diverse network of leaders who expand opportunity for children from classrooms, schools, and every sector and field that shapes the broader systems in which schools operate.
Our Vision One day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.
Our 2030 Goal By 2030, twice as many students in our Rio Grande Valley Impact Districts will achieve college and career readiness and success, indicating that they are on a path to economic mobility and a future filled with possibility.
Table of Contents: 06 Letter From Our Executive Director 07 Our Corps Network 08 The Alumni Movement 09 The Ignite Fellowship Program 10 Honor Roll 2023 11 Our Impactful Partners 12 Our Financials: Fiscal Year 2023 13 Our Regional Advisory Board: 2023-2024
We are focusing on building their self-esteem and their confidence. That goes a long way to help them grow academically, and socially, and to be good citizens within the community. -Anabel Saenz (RGV ‘21)
06
Dear Friends and Supporters, With great excitement and profound gratitude, I am thrilled to share Teach For America Rio Grande Valley’s annual report for the 2022-23 school year, characterized by remarkable progress and transformative achievements for our organization and the students we serve. As we reflect on the past year, it is inspiring to see the impact we are making, in partnership with the community, on the landscape of education in the Rio Grande Valley.
Ana D. González Executive Director Teach For America RGV
Our first commitment remains to our students, who are still feeling the effects of educational disruptions following the pandemic. Each of these students needs and deserves access to high-quality academic support tailored to their unique challenges. We know this begins with placing leaders who are passionate about educational equity in classrooms. Our network of over 150 corps members and alumni educators innovated and led in classrooms across the Rio Grande Valley last year. Additionally, we launched the Ignite Fellowship, our virtual high-dosage tutoring corps, at two schools, serving 180 children. This program supports math and reading students who need additional help to catch up from learning loss and benefit from growing their sense of belonging and community at school. In the 2022-23 school year, Teach For America launched a new framework, Mindful about Equity and Leadership Development (MELD), to support our students and educators. We continued our Cafecito and Conversation series, engaging the community in dialogue with a particular emphasis on including students and listening to them share about their educational experience. To meet the needs of our teachers, we focused on educators’ whole well-being with our first “Mindful Educator Summit.” Finally, we also launched the Community of Learning series, which allowed educators from across the region to share their needs and foster crosscommunity collaboration. I remain energized by the Valley’s collective power to work together to address these issues and put our children on a path to futures filled with possibility. This year, I look forward to serving more students as our incoming corps grows, strengthening programming which is part of MELD, and deepening our collaborative partnership with the educators and districts we support. With our local alumni and members who have gone through Teach For America, expanding to a high of over 220, we know our TFA Familia will be crucial to our work. I invite you to immerse yourself in our annual report, celebrate our collective achievements, and join me in envisioning the endless possibilities that lie ahead as we Illuminate Every Learner.
With promise,
Ana D. González
07 Our Corps Network
49
1st & 2nd Year Corps Members
Students impacted by 2022-23 TFA corps members
90%
4,780
of Corps Members Come From Under Represented Backgrounds
57%
80%
57%
From The Valley
Low Income Background
First in the Family to Graduate From College
This year, we continued our mission of transforming the education system by recruiting the next generation of diverse leaders, working hand-in-hand with students and communities to reimagine the future of learning. For the first time in our organization's history, our new teachers were able to prepare for the school year by training in the community they would serve. By localizing our Pre-Service training, we give our corps members opportunity to teach in a summer school classroom that mirrors the unique demographics and community contexts of the students they would serve throughout their two-year commitment and beyond. A large percentage of our corps members are from the Valley, allowing them to fully immerse in the community they call home. To stay responsive to our teachers’ development in a highly evolving environment, we continued to innovate the services we provide by offering customized support to our network of educators, focusing on mental and physical well-being, networking, pedagogy, and culturally responsive practices. These wellness and professional development resources led to continued engagement and impact for our leaders.
2022-2023 Placement Partners
Illuminated Teachers Fuel Student Success Jason Mathers was born and raised in McAllen, where he lived with his mother and two sisters. Growing up, his mother instilled the importance and value of education. While his sisters seemed to easily excel, Jason often struggled due to dyslexia and other learning challenges. With hard work and commitment throughout grade school and college, he graduated from Texas State University with honors. After college and 23 years in various educational roles in the Valley, Jason joined the corps. Joining TFA was a two-fold decision: to honor a close family member who cherished the students of the Valley and to re-center his teaching focus around the social-emotional aspect of education in addition to his academic lens. Harnessing the lessons from his own educational journey and the support and resources of TFA, Jason builds genuine connections with his students by prioritizing emotional well-being alongside academics, and in return, has seen both growth and success in his students.
Jason Mathers (RGV ‘22) 6th Grade Math Teacher Austin Middle School Pharr-San Juan Alamo ISD
He is energized by helping struggling learners (like himself) to engage in their education journey and achieve growth and success. Jason credits his growth as a teacher to TFA's leading core values that align with his own and help him think of his students' holistic educational experience. He believes all students can and will thrive when given the resources, tools, and encouragement to succeed.
08 The Alumni Movement
200+ Alumni
~75%
of Corps Members Continue to Work in Education After 2 Years
TFA RGV supports our dynamic alumni by providing ongoing professional development, networking opportunities, and talent placement.
After completing their two-year commitment, our corps members become alumni, continuing to act on their equity-oriented training to shape the educational landscape of the Rio Grande Valley. Nearly 75 percent of our 200+ alumni stay in the field of education. We have four school principals, six school systems leaders, and 92 teachers who are still leading strong outcomes in classrooms. One hundred percent of TFA-led schools in Rio Grande Valley are rated A or B, with 88 percent of students in these schools classified as economically disadvantaged.
Alumni Professional Development Opportunities The Rural School Leadership Academy
The School Leadership Learning Lab
The TFA Alumni Career Design Fellowship
The Aspiring School Leaders Retreat
A yearlong fellowship for teachers, mid-level leaders, and principals in rural districts, who are exploring, preparing for, or strengthening their leadership.
A program that builds and prepares a coalition of educators and school leaders to actualize equitable change in their schools.
A flexible and collaborative program designed to give TFA alumni direction and structure when planning and following their career path.
A three-day retreat for educators who are interested in pursuing School Systems Leadership for a time of development, self-reflection, collaboration, and networking.
A Lifelong Commitment to Education Growing up on the rural Eastern Shore of Delaware, Navile Torres often encountered lower expectations from educators, hindering her growth and success. It wasn't until she moved to Texas and was placed in Pre-AP classes that she realized the transformative power of education. This realization ignited a passion for the potential impact that lived within a career as an educator. In her work, initially in Delaware and now in Brownsville, Texas, she has found that there is great power in strong support systems for educators. These supports invariably lead to the creation of an exceptional future for students and a thriving community in the long run.
Navile Torres (Delaware ‘14) Assistant Principal IDEA Frontier College Prep
Mixing her personal and professional aspirations, she grows within her own skills while fostering the growth of others—a seamless combination and deep commitment to shaping a brighter future for all students and her community.
My unwavering commitment to education and my unshakable belief in equitable opportunities for all students have been the guiding forces propelling my career.
09 The Ignite Fellowship Program Our Pilot Year
Our Ignite Fellowship Program (Ignite) doubles down on the support we offer RGV students by ensuring they are equipped to meet critical reading and math milestones. The Ignite Fellowship Program is a tutoring corps designed to accelerate learning and foster belonging with students, leveraging research-based best practices for high-impact tutoring. Ignite builds on Teach For America’s over 30 years of experience recruiting, developing, and supporting talent and partnering with communities across the country to help students overcome the systemic barriers to an excellent education. The Ignite Fellowship brings exceptional,
equity-minded
leaders
into
classrooms
virtually to add immediate value for students, while creating shifts towards the future of equitable learning.
185
Students Impacted
875
87
Additional Hours of Learning
Fellows (Tutors)
98%
of Fellows gained new insights about the state of education and their role in working towards educational equity.
Our Goals: To bridge gaps in reading and math learning, both key determinants of success in secondary education and economic mobility. To foster student belonging, which translates to an increased likelihood of high school graduation.
Ignite Provides a Pipeline for Impactful Teachers A tertiary goal of Ignite is to transition Fellows into corps members.
To engage early-career college students and develop their educational equity mindsets.
Sixteen Teach For America RGV Fellows applied to join the 2023 Corps, and 12 ultimately accepted an offer.
Expanding Ignite in 2023-24 After successfully launching the Ignite program last year, TFA RGV is expanding our partnership with Harlingen CISD by growing the number of Fellows we recruit, train, and support to provide customized math and reading tutoring to middle school students needing additional support. Through this program, ~108 Fellows will deliver personalized, intensive tutoring sessions to 125 students per semester for a total impact of 250 students over the upcoming school year studentt over the upcoming school year..
Accelerate Learning
96%
of schools reported positive impact on students' academic growth.
100%
of schools reported positive impact on students' engagement in school overall.
Foster Belonging
92%
of students said they felt their Tutor helped them in ways they learn best.
of students said they enjoyed learning with their Tutor.
88%
10 Honor Roll 2023 Our annual Honor Roll event was a vibrant display of our region. We gathered together with community partners, cherished friends, and steadfast supporters to shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of our leaders and to give well-deserved recognition to our Honorees: Educational Champion, Dr. Julieta V. García, Institutional Catalyst, Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies, and Alumni Leader, Dr. SantaPaula Gama García, RGV '98. Our hearts are full of gratitude for everyone who created a memorable night—enriched with stories from our classrooms, Honoree recognition, and fun. Each attendee made an extraordinary impact for our students. A gathering of 450 friends and supporters united by a shared belief in the transformative power of education raised over $200,000. The night was a testament to the collective strength of our community, their unwavering support of our mission, and the reaffirmation of our commitment to shaping a brighter future through education.
11 Our Impactful Partners Teach For America Rio Grande Valley is deeply grateful for the support of the following individuals, corporations, and foundations that contributed $250+ to our efforts in our most recent fiscal year (June 1, 2022-May 31, 2023). $100,000+
$1,000-$4,999
$1,000-$4,999
Greater Texas Foundation (multi-region support) H-E-B (multi-region support) IDEA Public Schools Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation Texas Education Agency The Meadows Foundation (multi-region support)
Chick-fil-A Boca Chica & Mercedes City Of McAllen City Of Mission City of Pharr Clarissa Benavides and Manuel Gomez Con Cariño Primary Home Care David L. Fuentes and Yvonne Ortegon DHR Health Dora and Joe Brown Dynamic Children Therapy Services
SAMES, Inc. SantaPaula G. and José Luis Garcia Sharon Almaguer Socialife South Texas Bail Bonds South Texas College South Texas Federal Credit Union South Texas Health System St. Michael's Ambulance, LLC Starr County Industrial Foundation
Edwards Abstract & Title Company FemCity RGV Financial Benefit Services
Texas Digestive Specialists Texas Gas Service Texas National Bank
GO Car Wash Grande Produce LTD Co Guerra & Sabo P.L.L.C.
Texas Regional Bank The Amanda Saldana Law Firm The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Gulf Aviation Hershal and Priyanka Patel Independent Insurance Agents of the Rio Grande Valley
Toyota Financial Services Valley Regional Medical Center Vantage Bank Texas
International Bank of Commerce Kasandra and Johnny Reyna Killam Development, Ltd.
Village in the Valley Walsh McGurk Cordova Nixon, PLLC
Landtitle Texas
$250-$999
$25,000 - $99,999 AmeriCorps: OneStar Foundation Harlingen CISD Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD Rio Grande City Grulla ISD The Raul Tijerina Jr. Foundation Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation
$10,000-$24,999 James W. Collins and Kathleen C. Collins Donna ISD Edcouch-Elsa ISD The Peter Jennings Foundation PNC Bank Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies VTX1 Wells Fargo
$5,000-$9,999 Bert Ogden Auto Group Charles Clark Chevrolet Co. Donna ISD Frost Bank Magic Valley Electric Cooperative Mission Economic Development Corporation Patrick McDonnell Point Isabel ISD Rachael and Ben Vaughan Foundation Rhodes Enterprises Roma ISD Serafy Foundation Vanguard Academy
$1,000-$4,999 AT&T Alonzo and Yolanda Cantu Ana and Gilberto Gonzalez Anthony and Jode Vaughan Armando and Sonia Marroquin Atlas, Hall, & Rodriguez, L.L.P. Bank of America Bill and Margie Martin Blue Wave Express Car Wash Boggus Lincoln Ford McAllen Cardenas Development Co., Inc. Carlos and Cynthia Garza
Latina Empire Law Offices of Michael E. Flanagan Leah Wise Law Firm Lesley and Bernardo Gomez Lisa Chapa Lone Star National Bank Luis Yzaguirre Manuel and Amy Vela Marilyn and Dave Osborn Maritza R. and Dustin Luebbers McDonald's - Fred Del Barrio Franchise Melden & Hunt Inc. Michael and Jessica Martinez Mission Regional Medical Center Nina and Tom Torkelson Noble Texas Builders Nolan and Sandy Perez North Park Lexus Rio Grande Valley Pharr Economic Development Corporation Raise Your Hand Texas Ramiro Garza Ramón Worthington Law Firm Razk Trading LLC Region One Education Service Center RGV Focus/Educate Texas Rio Bank Rio Grande Regional Hospital Rio Grande Valley Partnership Foundation Rios of Mercedes Boot Company SafeGuard Insurance
Aimee and Richard Jones Bonnie and Nick Gonzalez Brian and Beatriz Rutledge Daniel Clark David and Cynthia Stevens Diann Bartek and Richard Cortez Gina and Gus Garcia Guillermo Aguilar Jacob and Leslie Hill Jeff Mayer Jessica and James Hess John Gonzales Jr. Juan Gama Juan Padron and Adrienne Howell Kendra Scott Lolly Burns Luzelma and Oscar Canales Margarita Desantos Mark and Bonnie Brown Melissa Osio Martinez Pathfinder Public Affairs Priscilla Noriega Rose Benavidez Sam Garcia Shannon Ostos-Cherrington Timothy J. Sears Vicki and Pete Moore
12 Our Financials: Fiscal Year 2023
Revenue
Individuals
Corp orate
1% Individuals 5% Corporate 21% Foundation 24% State (TEA & Americorps)
Previously Raised
11% School Partnerships
Foundation
2% Federal 8% Event 28% Previously Raised
Fe de ra l
Event State (TEA & Americorps)
School Partnerships
Management, General, & Fundraising
Alumni Support
Corps Member Recruitment & Placement Ignite Fellowship
Expenses
Ongoing Teacher Development & Support
Corps Member Pre-Service Training & Prep
28% Corps Member Recruitment & Placement 13% Corps Member Pre-Service Training & Prep 29% Ongoing Teacher Development & Support 12% Ignite Fellowship 4% Alumni Support 14% Management, General, & Fundraising
Please note: This current fiscal year, our methodology relating to our management, general, and fundraising expenses have been proportioned differently when compared to last fiscal year (as shown above). Our local programming expenses for our current fiscal year will show a change in ratio, not due to dramatic shifts in expenses but due to this internal accounting change.
13 Our Regional Advisory Board: 2023-2024 A light bulb moment is something we all have experienced. Whether it was from something we never realized or finally mastering a skill we’ve been practicing. These moments fill us with wonder and gratitude in the realization of growth. Now, imagine the illumination of every learner in our community. How our students feel when the potential inside them is sparked and they realize a future filled with choice is theirs for the taking. Our leaders are doing just that in classrooms, on campuses, and in organizations throughout our region. I could not be more proud of the impact they are making. An excellent education for all students is the goal of Teach For America Rio Grande Valley. Over the last year, we’ve embraced change as it comes and responded to the evolving needs of our students with resilience and innovation. Yet, the mission of illuminating the light in every learner continues to extend beyond teaching lessons within a classroom. It is about instilling hope, providing opportunity, and sparking the potential within each student. Our innovation is made possible by working hand-in-hand with our community, students, and families. Whether it’s through our Ignite Fellowship Program or attending Cafecito & Conversation events, students and supporters are leaning into the pursuit of equitable education for our community. This work cannot be done alone. We’ve seen your incredible support and belief in our students. Whether you have shared stories of impact, attended our events, or generously contributed to our work, you have played a vital role in our journey toward educational equity this year. But our work is far from over. We must continue to work together, as a community united by a common purpose, to ensure that every learner's potential is fully realized. For educational equity is not a distant dream; it's a reality we can create together. We have the power to light up the path for every learner, helping them reach their full potential.
Board Chair Gina Garcia
COO MDG Investments, LLC
Vice Chairs Deborah Cordova
Partner, Walsh, McGurk, Cordova, and Nixon
Juan Padron
Partner, Safeguard Insurance
Members Rose Benavidez
President, Starr County Industrial Foundation
Daniel Clark
Partner, Clark Chevrolet/Clark-Knapp Honda
Christian Corrales
Assistant Vice President for Community Engagement, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Juan Loya
RGV Market Executive, PNC Bank
A. Raquel Limas
Director of Operations, Con Cariño Primary Home Care
Priscilla Noriega
Staff Attorney and Medical Legal Partnership Manager, Rio Grande Legal Aid
Marilyn Osborn
Education Consultant
Robert Rosell
ED & CD Project Manager, GrantWorks
Thank you for your unwavering support, and for believing in the transformative power of education.
Daniel Silva
In Partnership, Gina Garcia
Friend of the Board
Chair, Teach For America Rio Grande Valley Regional Advisory Board
President & CEO, Rio Grande Valley Partnership
Julian Alvarez III
Senior VP and Director of Business Development, Lone Star National Bank
Thank You
Thank you for your support of Teach For America Rio Grande Valley in the 2022-2023 school year. Over the past 32 years, we have placed more than 1,700 teachers in the Valley. Your support was critical to our organization’s ability to recruit, train, and catalyze corps members and alumni to effect change in public education throughout the Rio Grande Valley. We plan to continue our efforts to recruit excellent talent into our region as we support our growing alumni base in their efforts to improve learning possibilities for economically disadvantaged youth in the Rio Grande Valley. Your belief in our mission has enabled us to realize significant progress in training and developing corps members, driving positive student outcomes, leveraging strategic partnerships, and propelling our alumni leadership and impact this last academic year. With you, we can continue to illuminate every learner in the Valley.
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